Rawalpindi, Nov 14, 2025 — Babar Azam snapped a two-year wait for an international hundred and guided Pakistan to a comfortable eight-wicket victory, sealing the ODI series 2–0 with one match to spare. Chasing 289, Pakistan’s senior batters made the pursuit look routine on a flat Pindi surface, getting home with 10 balls left.
Match summary
Sri Lanka 288/8 (50)
- Janith Liyanage 54, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis & Wanindu Hasaranga 37–49
- Abrar Ahmed 3/41, Haris Rauf 3 wickets
Pakistan 289/2 (48.2)
- *Babar Azam 102 (119), Fakhar Zaman 78 (93), Mohammad Rizwan *51 (51), Saim Ayub 33 (25)
Pakistan won by 8 wickets; lead series 2–0
Babar’s 20th ODI ton — and a record matched
Babar’s unbeaten 102—his first international century since May 2023—was a study in control. He scored heavily through cover and midwicket (61 runs in those channels), struck eight fours, and rarely looked troubled. The hundred draws him level with Saeed Anwar for most ODI centuries by a Pakistan batter (20). A sharp return chance on 5 was his only scare; after that, he set the tempo and never let the rate drift.
Platform from Saim, consolidation from Fakhar
Saim Ayub launched the chase with a brisk 33 off 25, punishing wayward new-ball bowling. Sri Lanka leaked 73 without loss in 8 overs, with Asitha Fernando going at double figures in the powerplay and Pramod Madushan conceding 19 in his first two.
Fakhar Zaman capitalized, adding a 100-run stand with Babar. He had luck—dropped at 21 and again later—before falling for 78 shortly after a third let-off, but by then the chase was on rails.
Rizwan closes it out
Entering with 111 required, Mohammad Rizwan played second anchor to perfection—51 off 51*—and shared an unbeaten 112-run partnership with Babar. Through the last 15 overs, Pakistan’s progress was near frictionless; even when boundaries dried up for brief spells, singles came freely and the asking rate never threatened.
Sri Lanka’s innings: good rebuild, par score at best
Put in to bat, Sri Lanka slipped to 98/4 inside 21 overs after a bright start. Abrar Ahmed tilted the middle overs with 3/41, stumping Kamil Mishara, removing Kusal Mendis to short midwicket, and trapping Charith Asalanka lbw.
A middle-order rally from Samarawickrama, Kamindu, Liyanage (54) and late blows from Hasaranga nudged them to 288/8, but on this surface, Pakistan always fancied it—especially once the new ball strayed.
Haris Rauf picked up three, two at the death, to book-end Abrar’s control.
Where the game was decided
- Powerplay mismatch: Pakistan 73/0 after 8; Sri Lanka’s lines and lengths never settled.
- Middle-overs mastery: Abrar’s three strikes kept Sri Lanka to a total that needed perfect bowling; they didn’t get it.
- Senior core delivers: Babar, Fakhar, Rizwan combined for 231 runs; the chase never spiked above a run-a-ball.
What’s next
With the series clinched 2–0, Pakistan can rotate in the dead rubber, while Sri Lanka will seek sharper new-ball plans and cleaner fielding after three costly drops.
Key stats
- Babar Azam: 20th ODI century; equals Saeed Anwar for Pakistan record
- Partnerships: Babar–Fakhar 100, Babar–Rizwan 112*
- Pakistan win: by 8 wickets, 10 balls remaining
- Best bowling: Abrar Ahmed 3/41; Haris Rauf 3 at the death
